The AEM Manufacturing Express rolled into the suburbs of Dayton, Ohio, a city renowned for its robust workforce that has propelled American aviation technology to new heights. Dayton has long been a hub where technology and industry converge, a legacy carried in the modern day by companies like Trimble. With a mission to help equipment manufacturers worldwide work smarter and more efficiently, Trimble’s cutting-edge technology, born right here in Dayton, exemplifies why the Midwest remains the beating heart of American manufacturing.
Trimble has a global presence in 35 countries and is known for creating a variety of geospatial and machine-control technologies used in construction, utility, and agricultural equipment. However, the story of its Huber Heights campus began in the 1960s when local shop teacher Robert Studebaker revolutionized farming by inventing a rotating laser to improve the installation of drainage tiles. His innovation, now memorialized in the Smithsonian, laid the groundwork for the current Trimble campus. What was originally Robert Studebaker’s family farm is now the company’s global distribution center. Today, this facility supports over 525 manufacturing workers and plays a vital role in Trimble’s service to customers across the U.S.
At the core of Trimble’s mission is helping the people who build, feed, and power the world to work more efficiently, a critical need as the manufacturing industry faces soaring demand. Vice President of Global Operations Scott Meyerhoeffer reflected on the lasting impact of their work: “Trimble’s solutions help the everyday operator,” he said. “We hear stories daily of how our technology makes a difference—from small businesses boosting output to an entry-level operator becoming a top surveyor at a large excavation company.” Trimble’s technology not only helps businesses grow but also provides workers with valuable skills, contributing to the future of the industry.
Ohio is one of America’s top states for equipment manufacturing, supporting over 150,000 jobs. Trimble has been a cornerstone of opportunity for decades, with employees building successful careers. Tim Zimmerman, Director of Workplace Solutions and Facility Manager for Trimble Huber Heights, is nearing his 37th anniversary. Starting straight out of college, he now oversees facility operations across the U.S. and Mexico. “Trimble offers incredible opportunities and is a great place to learn and grow,” Zimmerman says. His latest venture? Overseeing the opening of a new site at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee, part of Trimble’s mission to bring private industry to students and strengthen the pipeline of skilled manufacturing workers.
As the AEM Manufacturing Express rolled out of Dayton, it was evident that companies like Trimble are redefining the future of industries and communities. Their innovations play an integral role in helping equipment manufacturers to soar in a rapidly evolving world.
